A brief survey of some important temples build at Narayangaon by the Maratha sardars
Time Period
18th and 19th centuries
Patron
Maratha
Deity
Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Maruti and Goddess Muktai
Location
Narayangaon
There are some Marāṭhā period temples in Narayangaon. These include Śukleśvar Temple, Bhāgeśvar Temple, Muktāī Temple, Mahādev Temple, Puṇḍalik Temple, Mārutī Temple, Kāśī-Viśweśvar Temple etc. Here is a brief detail on all these temples.
1. Śukleśvar temple: According to the inscription in the Śukleśvar temple, the temple was built on February 3, 1773. This inscription is placed inside the temple, on the south side of the entrance. This inscription is in Sanskrit and has been published earlier. Here is the reading of the Inscription:
Translation: On Māgh Śuddha Ekādaśī (Wednesday), in the year 1694 of Śālivāhan Śaka, in Nandannām Saṃvatsara, Bagājī Mahādev Śukla Pāṭhak who is a Vaidya (physician) at Narayangaon; he completed or started building this temple.
2. Muktāī Devī temple: Muktāī Devī temple is in the Peṭh Ali of Narayangaon. At present, the temple has been extensively renovated. But the garbhagṛha of the temple is still in its original state. The yātrā of Muktāī Devī, who is the village deity (grāmadevatā), is held every year. Devotees from far and wide visit on this occasion. A pillar’s lower half, on which an inscription is engraved, is lying neglected on the way from Muktāī temple to the village boundary. Interestingly, it is being used as a support for a vegetable seller’s tent.
3. Mahādeva Temple: There is also an 18th-century temple of Mahādeva in the village. The original śikhara of this temple is still visible. Stucco-type sculptures are seen on this śikhara. There is a śivaliṅga in the garbhagṛha of the temple.
4. Bhāgeśvar Temple: The temple of Bhāgeśvar is near the Meher Bridge on the Meena River, while another dilapidated temple can be seen in the riverbed near the Bhāgeśvar temple. There is also a bārav nearby. The Mārutī temple is on the side of the village. There used to be an inscription, but according to the information given by locals, it was buried under newly laid tiles.
Mārutī temple.
Image of Gaṇapatī in Gaṇapatī temple.
Viṣṇu image in the garbhagṛha of the Viṣṇu temple.
5. Others: Behind the Mārutī temple lies the quaint yet beautiful Kāśī-Viśweśvar temple. The village also boasts wooden temples dedicated to Viṣṇu and Gaṇapatī. Within the garbhagṛha of the Viṣṇu temple, visitors can admire a marble image of Viṣṇu. Adjacent to the Viṣṇu temple is the shrine dedicated to Gaṇeśa.
Images of Natha yogis and Siddhas on the Someshvar temple at Pimpri-Dumala
Preservation of a 300 year old Maratha Temple by Tattva Heritage Foundation
The Gurav Temple Priests of Maharashtra
Launch of the Website for the Temple Mapping Project
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